NCREASING WELD PRODUCTIVITY OF STAINLESS STEELS BY MIG, SAW AND TIG WELDING PROCESSES In the last issue, we explained the use of 17 classification MMAW electrodes to increase weld productivity of stainless steels. In this issue we will explore the use of MIG, SAW and TIG welding to not only improve productivity but also improve quality of stainless steel weld deposits. Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding Process In this process a consumable wire travels through a nozzle and tip before it makes an arc with the work piece. The arc atmosphere is shielded either by pure gases like 100% Argon or a mix of 99% Argon with 1% Oxygen or 97% Argon with 3% Carbon Dioxide. MIG welding is a high productivity process. Which does not need expensive machinery. The welding machines are easily transportable making this process very popular. Shielding gas, welding parameters and the consumable assume an important role. Shielding gases are chosen considering quality of weld in various materials, cost and ease of operations. Some advantages of MIG welding stainless steels are Deposition rates are much higher than in stick welding All position capability Less operator skill required Longer welds can be made without stops and re starts and Minimal (post welding) cleaning required due to low spatter AWL has a wide range of wires for MIG welding of most stainless steels. Please click on the respective link to know more about our range of MIG consumables. MIGINOX Series Consumables MIGINOX 308 - Suitable for 20% Cr & 10% Ni SS MIGINOX 308L - Suitable for low carbon 20% Cr & 10% Ni SS MIGINOX 309 - Suitable for dissimilar metal joints MIGINOX 309L - Suitable for dissimilar metal joints (low carbon) MIGINOX 316 - Suitable for 19% Cr, 12% Ni & 2% Mo MIGINOX 316L - Suitable for 19% Cr, 12% Ni & 2.5% Mo (low carbon) MIGINOX 310 - Suitable for welding of 26.5% Cr, 12Ni & Austenitic Steels MIGINOX 312 - Suitable for joining all grades of steels MIGINOX 347 - Suitable for welding of 20% Cr, 10Ni & 0.5% Nb SS MIGINOX 410 - Suitable for 13% Cr SS MIGINOX 430 - Suitable for 18% Cr SS Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) Process In SAW, the flux is separately fed in to the joint where the consumable wire establishes an arc beneath the flux. In the heat generated from the arc, the wire as well as some part of the flux melts. As the welding head moves along the joint, slag and metal separate by virtue of difference in their specific gravities. Heat input is high in SAW, leading to higher productivity. Some advantages of Submerged Arc Welding stainless steels are Extremely high deposition rates High quality welds Low operator skill Process can be easily automated High speed single pass welds Twin wires with one head as well as multiple wires and heads can be used for high deposition and high travel speeds AWL has a wide range of wires and fluxes for submerged arc welding of most stainless steels. Please click on the respective link to know more about particular SAW consumables in the range. SUBINOX Series Wires SUBIINOX 308 - Suitable for 20% Cr & 10% Ni SS SUBIINOX 308L - Suitable for low carbon 20% Cr & 10% Ni SS SUBIINOX 309 - Suitable for dissimilar metal joints SUBIINOX 309L - Suitable for dissimilar metal joints (low carbon) SUBIINOX 316 - Suitable for 19% Cr, 12% Ni & 2% Mo SUBIINOX 316L - Suitable for 19% Cr, 12% Ni & 2.5% Mo (low carbon) SUBIINOX 310 - Suitable for welding of 26.5% Cr, 12Ni & Austenitic Steels SUBIINOX 312 - Suitable for joining all grades of steels SUBIINOX 347 - Suitable for welding of 20% Cr, 10Ni & 0.5% Nb SS SUBIINOX 410 - Suitable for 13% Cr SS SUBIINOX 430 - Suitable for 18% Cr SS AUTOMELT series fluxes AUTOMELT S 33 - Suitable for high alloy austenitic stainless steels AUTOMELT S 76 - Suitable for high alloy Cr. - Ni stainless steels TIG Welding Process In this process the consumable is melted in the arc atmosphere and Inert-gases like Argon or Helium (or mixtures) are used as shielding gases. TIG welding is extremely suited to join thin sheets, tubes and making root pass welds in pipes, since the heat input in this process is minimal. TIG welds do not cause any undercuts or lack of penetration defects and distortion is the lowest compared to other welding processes. TIG welding offers superior quality welds thereby making up for lower welding speeds. It is, however not recommended for thick sections. Some advantages of TIG welding stainless steels are Popular choice of welding when high quality precision welding is required Welds can be made with or without filler metal Superior quality weld deposits Precise control of welding variables like heat input Free of spatter and No / very low distortion AWL has a wide range of wires for TIG welding of most stainless steels. Please click on the respective link to know more about a particular TIG consumable in the range TIGINOX Series Consumables TIGINOX 308 - Suitable for 20% Cr & 10% Ni SS TIGINOX 308L - Suitable for low carbon 20% Cr & 10% Ni SS TIGINOX 309 - Suitable for dissimilar metal joints TIGINOX 309L - Suitable for dissimilar metal joints (low carbon) TIGINOX 316 - Suitable for 19% Cr, 12% Ni & 2% Mo TIGINOX 316L - Suitable for 19% Cr, 12% Ni & 2.5% Mo (low carbon) TIGINOX 310 - Suitable for welding of 26.5% Cr, 12Ni & Austenitic Steels TIGINOX 312 - Suitable for joining all grades of steels TIGINOX 347 - Suitable for welding of 20% Cr, 10Ni & 0.5% Nb SS TIGINOX 410 - Suitable for 13% Cr SS TIGINOX 430 - Suitable for 18% Cr SS Suggested precaution for improved results when welding stainless steels: weld must be cleaned only with a stainless steel brush.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Jul 2013 08:52:05 +0000
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